Packaging apparatus



Jan, 5, 1925.

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G. J. HU NTLEY PACKAGING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 18, 1921.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR BY H IS ATTORNEYS @@Zap-M Patented Jan. 6, 1925.

UNITED STATES i 1,522,245 PATENT OFFICE..

GEORGE J'. HUNTLEY, O'F BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR 'IOV THE CROWN CORK & SEAL COMPANY 0F BALTIMORE CITY, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, A CORPORA- T,IO1\T OF MARYLAND. I

' PACKAGING APPARATUS.

Application filed November 18 1,321. Serial-N10. 516,079.

To all whomz't 'may concern.' i

Be it known that I, GEORGE J. HUNTLEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Baltimore city, State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Packaging Apparat-us, fully described and represented in the following specification and the accompanying drawings forming a part ofthe same.

This invention relates to improvements in packaging apparatus.

Machines for bottling charged beverages have been devised, inwhich the bottle is sealed in a head during-the filling and capping operation. A cap such as a crown cork is fed to the head, and the cap entrance port then sealed, the crown being held to one side of the head during filling. After filling, the crown is released and is moved to a position over the bottle by a pusher which is'carried by the port closer.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a packaging apparatus having a port closer and crown pusher that are effective in operation, simple in construction and economical to manufacture.

vIVith this general object in View, the invention consists in the combinations, details of construction and arrangements of parts, which will first be described in connection 'with the accompanying drawings and then more particularly pointed out.

In the drawings: u

Fig. 1 is a view, in side elevation, with parts in vertical section, of part of a packaging apparatus, constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig, 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view (enlarged) of the packaging head and port closer, showing the latter in open position; Fig. 3 is a. similar view showing the port closer closed, with the crown held back for filling;

Fig. 4 is a similar View showing the crown advanced by the pusher; Y

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the une M5 of Fig. a;

Fig. 6 is a sectional View ktaken on the line 6 6 of Fig. 3, and

Fig. 7 is an edge view of the crown platform plate removed.

Referring to the drawings, the apparatus here illustrated as an example includes a stationar;7 standard 11 having a bearing bracket 12 in which reciprocates a `plackaging head 'designated generally by 13.

This head may be reciprocated to and fromthe suitably supported bottles; 14, in any preferred manner. The head illustrated las an example, includes a throat ring or capping die 15 such as is well known in the art, a sealing gasket Y16, a filling nozzle 17 and a capping plunger'18. Below the capping die is a crown chamber 19 and al crown platform plate 20. To admit crowns to the chamber, the latter communicates '1" with a crown entrance formed` in the head.

In the machine here shown, the head reciprocates and receives crowns' from a stationary; chute 22 suspended from bracket 12 by a. connection 23 and leading from a source of cro-wn supply (not shown), As the head reciprocates the end of the chute bears on 'a plate 24 lforming part of the head; This plate blocks oifthe chute mouth except when the chute registers with the crown entrance port aty the top of the heads stroke, as illustrated in Fig.` 2. In this position'ofv the parts a crown c can enter the port and passage 21 head as shown. A

Means is provided for temporarily hold-- 'ing the 'delivered crown to one sideof the complete entrance of vthe crown as herein- This movement of the nozby any suitable after` described. zle may be accomplished mechanism.

There lis provided means for Sealing the i crown entrance port and-in structures embodying the invention to the bestadvantage, a port closer `is, pivotally connected to the headl and is swung into closing posi-- `tion uponthemovement ofthe head toward the bottlef Although capable of various constructions, in that vhere shown as an eX- ample, pivoted as at 26 `to the lower part of the head to swing upwardly, is a cylindrical port cl0ser27 lcarrying a sealing gasket 28. The other end of member 27 is closed by a capl 29 which is threaded on for convenience in assembly and disassembly.` Pivoted to ears 30 on the closer member 27 are the arms of a yoke 3l which are formed Vwith slots 32. These slots ride on pins 33 carried by the head. The yoke 31 isl pivotally" connected with a bar 34 which extends into a casing 35 and is provided with a collar 36. Between this collar and a plug 37 in thel casing 35 is a s1'ning'3'8'.

As the packaging head descends, the pins 33 riding' down the slots 3Q cause the port. closer 27 to .swing upwardly from the position of Fig. 2 to the position of Figs. 3 and 4. Near the end of the heads downward stroke the bar 34 is pulled down to compress spring 38, thus provid-ing the pressure to hold the port closer with its gasket pressed firmly against the head., sealthe crown entrance port.

Certain features of the packaging head andthe port closer means above described, are disclosed and claimed in a coipending application Serial No. 468,233.

The invention in its entirety includes a pusher. linger pivotally movable with respect tothe port closer, a spring carried by the port closer and a connection between the spring and the pusher finger for normally holding the latter in a position forl entering the port and forpermitting it to remain under the force of' the spring while swinging on its pivot. lhile this may be `accomplished in various Ways, in structures embodying the invention to the best advantage, the pusher nger is pivotally mounted in a slide movable in the carrier and a tiltable spring-head engages a contact member on or carried by the pusher finger. Although capable of various con'- structions, as here shown as an example, there is provided a slide 41 comprising a cylindrical portion 42 and a head portion 43. The cylindrical `portion 42 is slidab'le in the body ot the port closer 27. The head 43 serves as a bearing for a pivotal pin l44 on which is mounted a pusher finger 45, the pin 44 being parallel to the pivotgof the port closer. The free end of the pusher finger is 'formed with a notch 46 for en.- gaging the skirt of a crown. To prevent turning of the Apusher finger, it is, in' the present embodiment,- rectangular in cross section and-extends through a rectangular ope-ning'in the front wall of'- the` port closer, as yappears in F 6.v Enclosed withinA the body of the port closer and partly within the cylindrical portion 4Q ofthe slide 41` is a coiled spring 4T,- One end of this spring bears again-st the cap 29 oit the port closer, the other end against a tiltable springhead 4S.v As here shown, this spring head is a circular diskloosely inserted in thecyi-indrical portion 42 of the slide. This spring-head 48 engages a contact lug 49 formed', in the' present embodiment, as a kheel on 'thev end of the pusher finger. This lug is so located with respect to the pivot 44 that the spring tendsv to swing the free end of the pusher finger towards'the pivot of the port closer, that is, downwardly in the present arrangement. To limit this pivotal movement, the pusherr1 finger isprovided with a ,stop lug 56", for engagement by the spring head 48.

In structures embodying the invent-ion in its entirety, the packaging head is provided with a guiding surface for the pusher finger, and in constructions embodying the invention to the best advantage, the pusher linger is held against this guiding surface by the :torcey of the operating spring. Although capable of various constructions, as here shown as an example, the crown platformplate 2O is grooved as 5l, and alining with this groove, is a similar groove in that portion of the head that serves as a bottom wall of the crown entrance passage. The bottom of' this combined groove serves as a guide surface against which the finger is held by the spring 42 as the linger nieves.

ln operation, when the packaging head is elevated to the position of Fig. Q, the port closer is open and down, with the slide 4l pushed fora-fard as far as it will go, by spring 4T. The notched end of the pusher finger being free, the finger is swung on its pivot due to the force ot the spring on lug 49, until stopped by the engagement of the stop lug with spring-head 4S. ln this same position or" the packaging head, the crown entrance port is in a position to receive a crown c which is held back by the lowered nozzle 17. As the packaging head descends, the portcloser is swung up on its pivot as above described. This brings the pusher finger in contact with the held crown, the notch 46 engaging the skirt of the crown'. Upon continued movement of the port closer the slide 41. is forced back in the port closer, compressing spring 4T, the pusher'v finger swinging on its pivotand the spring-head 48 tilting to some suchl position shown in Fig. rfhis Fig. 3 shows the crown port sealed with the compressed spring, through the engagement of the` spring-head 48 with lug 49, pressingthe crown against the nozzle. y

After filling, the nozzle is raised as above described. The crown stop being thus rcmoved, the spring 47 isfree to expand and the pusher' finger is forced through the passage to push the crown into cappino position in the crown chamber (Fig. 4). l3ntving this movement, as the force of the spring is directed against the lug 49, the pusher finger is held in contact with the guiding surface formed by the groove 51.

After the crown has been sealed and ner known in the art', the packaging head is again raised. This causes the port closer Anormal position.

Vliat is claimed is:

1. In a packaging apparatus, and in combination, a packaging head having a crown chamber and a crown entrance port and passage, means for temporarily holding a crown to one side of the chamber, a port closerhaving a pivotal movement with respect to the head, a crown pusher finger carried by the port closer and having a pivotal movement with respect thereto, a spring cairied by the port closer for 0perating the pusher finger to push the held crown, when released, into the chamber,

and a connection between the spring and the pusher finger whereby the crown engaging end of the pusher finger is forced toward the. pivot of the port closer.

2. In a packaging apparatus, and in Coinbination, a packaging head having a crown chamber and a crown entrance port and passage, means for temporarily holding a crown to one side ofthe chamber, a port closer having a pivotal movement with respect to the head, a crown pusher finger carried by the port closer and having a pivotal movement with respect thereto, a spring carried by the port closer for operating the pusher finger to push the held crown, when released, into the chamber, and a connection between the spring and the pusher finger for normally holding the latter in a position for entering said port and for permitting the pusher finger to remain under the force of said spring while swinging on its pivot.

In a packaging apparatus, and in combination, a packaging head having a crown chamber and a crown Ventrance port and passage, said passage having a guiding surface associated therewith, means for temporarily holding a crown to one side of the chamber, a port closer having a pivotal movement with respect to the head, a crown pusher finger carried by the port closer and having a pivotal movement with respect thereto, a spring carried by the port closer for operating the pusher finger to push the held crown, when released, into the chamber, and a connectionV between the spring and pusher finger for nomally holding the latter in a position for entering said poit, and for holding the pusher finger in engagement with said guiding surface as the finger is moved through the passage.

1f. In a packaging apparatus, and in coinbination, a packaging head having a crown chamber and a crown entrance port and passage and having a guiding surface as sociated with said passage, means for pusher finger.

temporarily holding .a-,crown to one Side of the chamber, a port closer movable to close the entrance port, a pusher finger carried by the port closer and pivotally movable with respect thereto, a spring carried by the port closer, and a connection between the\spring and the pusher finger whereby the finger is moved by the'spring to push the held crown, when released, into the chamber and is held in contact with the guiding surface during said movement.

5. In a packaging apparatus, and in combination, a packaging head having a crown entrance port and passage, a port closer movable angularly into closing position, a slide carried by the port-closer, a crown pusher finger pivotally mounted in said slide, and a spring for operating the 6. In a packaging apparatus, and inv coinbinaton, a packaging head having a crown entrance port and passage, a port closer movable angularlyinto closing position, a y

-slide carried by the port closer, a crown pusher finger pivotally mounted in said slide, a spring for operating the pusher movements of the pusher,A

7. In a` packaging apparatus, and in combination, a packaging head having a crown entrance port and passage and having' a guiding surface associated with the port and passage, a port closer movable angularlyV into closing position, a slide carried by the port closer, a crown pusher finger pivotally mounted in said slide, a' spring for operating the pus-her finger, and a connection between the pusher finger and spring fior normally holding the end of the usher finger in al position vto be receivedv y the port and for holding the pusher finger in contact with the guiding surface as the pusher moves through the passage.

8. In a packaging apparatus, and in combination, a packaging head having a crown entrance port and passage, a port closer movable angularly into closing position, a slide. carried by the port closer, a crown pusher finger pivotallyv Vmounted in said slide, a spring for operating the pusher finger, and a tiltable head in the port closer betweenrthe pusher finger 'and the spring, with which the pusher finger makes cont-act.

9. In a. packaging apparatus, and in combination, a packaging head having a crown Y entrance por-t and passage, a port closer movable angularly into closing position, a slide carried by the port closer, a crown pusher finger pivotally mounted in said slide, and

iso

fbination, a packaging head having a .crown entrance pont and passage, a port closer movyabile angulaily into closing position, a slide vCllllpxlising a cylindrical portion and a head portion, va spring, .a crown pusher ringer ip ivoted in the head pfortion of the slide, and a spring-,head tiltable in the vcylindrical :portion 'of ,the slide and engaged by the V.pusher finger. Y

11. l-n a packaging apparatus, and in coinbination, a :packaging head having a crown Ientiance port-,and passage, a .port closer movable ,angularly into closing position, a slide movable in the port closer, a crown pusher .finger pivotally VmountedV in `the slide and A`haviifig a plurality of contact portions, a :spring for ope-rating the pusher finger, and

Va vtifltable spring-head between the. spring and the contact portions of the pusher finger.

fl-2. In a packaging apparatus, and in combination, a packaging head having a crown .Chamber :and aV crown entrance port and passage, means for temporarily holding a crown to lone side of the chamber, a pont closer having a pivotal movement Wit-h respeci; to the head. a slide in said port closer, a Vcrown pusher nger pivotally mounted in said slide, a spring carried by the port closer for operating the .pusher linger to push the held crown, When released, into the chainber, a tiltable spring-head between the spring and the pusher finger, and a contact member on said pusher linger for engageinent- With the spring head, so located that the springtends to swing `the pusher finger on its pivot.

i3. In a packaging*apparat-iis, and in oombination, movable packaging head having a. crown entrance po-rt and passage, a port closer pivoted to said head, means for causing said port closer to swing on its pivot as the head moves, a slide movable in the ilisaae pont closer, and Kcomprising a head portion and a cylindrical :portion which has a sliding fit in the `port closer, a tiltable'spring head Within thefcylindrical portion of the slide, a spring connedbetween said spring head and the outer end oitl the piort closer, and two contact members on the pusher .inger :torengageinent with theI spring head,

one beinglocated so that 'the torce of the spring tends to `saving the pusher finger on its pivot, the'other being located to ,act as a. stop for limiting such pivotal movement.

la. In anpaclraging apparatus, and in combination, a movable packaging head having closer lpivoted tio the head to swing in an .up and down direction, means for causing ,a crown lchamber and a crown entrance po-rt 1 1 4and passage, means for temporarily holding a crow-n to one side of the chamber, a port the port closer to swing as the head moves,

Ya slide movably mounted in the port closer and comprising a cylindrical portion having a sliding lit Within the port closer and a head portion, a tiltable spring-head comprising a loosely located disk ,Within the cylindrical f portion of the slide, a spring coniined between said disk and part of the port closer, a crown pusher finger for pushing the crown, Whenreleased, into' said chamber and pivotally mounted inthe head portion of the slide, a

the pivot being substantially parallel to the pivot of the port closer, a contact lug on the pusher linger, located above the pivot of the latter for engagement with the spring head, and a contact lug on .the pusher finger set my hand. i

GEORGE J. HUNTLEY. 

